By Simeon OSAJIE
Special Senior Assistant (SSA) to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Media, Ambassador Uwa Imadiyi has lauded the state government for the handing over of Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Benin City to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II.
Imadiyi, a cultural enthusiast and the proprietor of Aróse Arts Gallery, Benin City said that the return was proper considering the fact that the iconic cultural centre is situated in the heart of the ancient palace grounds of the Oba of Benin before the British punitive expedition of 1897 against the reigning monarch, Oba Ovonranmwen.
He expressed hope that the edifice will once again be a beehive of cultural activities and other events to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Benin people and Edo State in general.
“I will like to commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for returning Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre to the Benin monarch. It’s the proper thing considering the fact that it is located right in the heart of the ancient palace grounds of the Oba of Benin before the British invasion.
“Under the new management of the Oba of Benin, I am very optimistic that it will be renovated so that it can play its role in hosting cultural activities in Benin and boosting the tourism industry of Edo State. Former a start, it will host some events during the 10th anniversary of the coronation of Oba Ewuare II,” he said.
At its lowest ebb, it was turned to a motor park during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki before the state government ordered the relocation of drivers from the iconic cultural centre in 2018, due to public outcry, but the deep scars of its usage as a motor park for almost two years will be hard to erase. Regaining the paradise lost after the rape of the centre will for sure not be an easy task as so much money will be needed.
Located in downtown Benin City on Airport Road, just a stone throw from the popular Ring Road, what was designed by Prof. Demas Nwoko and supposed to be the premier venue for plays, video debuts, and other performances when it was conceived in the’ 70s turned into the den of dope dealers, marijuana smokers, ground nut sellers, food vendors, motor park thugs, night commercial sex workers, drivers, bread hawkers, a urinary and refuse dump.
Before a market sprung up at the sprawling premises in January 2017 following Obaseki’s decision to turn it to a motor park, it also posted weddings, symposia and other events when it was eventually completed after a very long time at the turn of the century.
Drawing upon traditional Benin City aristocratic architecture in both colour, the exterior which is an imitation of the local reddish clay in a cast sandcrete of Nwoko’s own devising (a mix of cement, sand, and pebble-filled lateritic soil).
Ambassador Imadiyi, who spoke weekend in the Edo State capital also commended Governor Okpebholo for the resolution of the dispute over the ownership of the controversial Edo Museum of West Africa Arts (EMOWAA), Benin City, lamenting that it is cause for serious concern that the state government didn’t have any equity in the project, which it sunk about N3.3 billion of public funds.
The Commissioner of Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mr. Chris Okaeben confirmed to journalists on Wednesday in Benin City that the state government has taken possession of the property following the findings of Senator Adams Oshiokpokhe committee, adding that it will soon come out with its stand.
The Benin cultural icon remarked that the project, which was originally conceived by the Benin monarch to warehouse repatriated Benin artifacts from Europe and America, but was unfortunately hijacked by former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki is wholly the property of the state government and not an individual and so has every right to do what it wants with it.
Ambassador Imadiyi also lauded the state government for reverting the name to EMOWAA, which reflected the vision and mission of the project instead of Museum of West Africa Arts (MOWAA), which the immediate past governor changed it to.
Sounding upbeat, the media assistant said that with a proper packaging of the ancient Benin City Walls and Moat; Igun Street Living Bronze Museum; Igbesanmwan Street Wood Carvers; National Museum; amongst others cultural sites spread throughout the state, Edo will, no doubt, be the number one destination for cultural tourists in Nigeria.
He added that with thousands of objects on display in his gallery, he called on visitors to Benin City to come to the place for an exhibition.